Bees & Bears, a climate fintech startup based in Berlin, is making significant strides in facilitating access to clean-energy technologies. By utilizing embedded finance solutions, the company aims to empower both households and installers, offering flexible instalment purchases for solar systems and energy-efficient solutions. Their approach reflects a shift towards more accessible and seamless financing options within the renewable energy sector. With recent funding, they are poised to expand their reach and make sustainable technologies more attainable across Europe.
In recent updates, Bees & Bears announced the acquisition of €5 million in seed funding from Extantia Capital and Contrarian Ventures. This funding follows a €2 million pre-seed round in 2024, underscoring growing investor interest in the company’s solutions. Earlier financial frameworks, including a substantial €500 million agreement with a listed European bank, highlight the company’s strategic position for financing substantial clean-energy installations. These achievements reflect an ongoing trend in the financial industry’s investment in sustainable technologies.
What Problem is Bees & Bears Addressing?
Bees & Bears was founded in a landscape where traditional financing mechanisms often impede access to renewable energy installations. A 2024 study by KfW revealed that 40% of German households find climate technology beyond reach without instalment plans. While major platforms offer embedded financing, they largely bypass local installers who are instrumental in technology deployment. Bees & Bears bridges this gap by providing local installers real-time credit check capabilities, eliminating the traditional barriers associated with bank financing.
How Does the Bees & Bears Platform Work?
The operational ease of Bees & Bears’ platform lies in its user-friendly interface. Installers can obtain quotes for systems like solar panels and submit customer data online to initiate an instant verification process. This mechanism allows for immediate approval of instalment purchases, enhancing customer acquisition and expediting project timelines. Consequently, customers avoid upfront costs and lengthy negotiations while gaining access to advanced energy solutions.
From an installer’s perspective, the platform opens doors to new customer segments, bolstering potential for revenue growth. It’s a win-win scenario where households receive affordable access to energy-efficient technology, and installers benefit from streamlined processes. The company’s ambition to democratize climate technology finds resonance as essential in driving larger societal shifts towards sustainable living.
We’re building the financing infrastructure that democratises access to climate technologies across Europe. Instalment purchases are becoming the new standard for bringing renewable energy to wider society. Our mission is to enable one trillion euros in sustainable financing,
In its drive to scale operations further, Bees & Bears is prioritizing entry into commercial and industrial sectors, alongside expanding their market presence in adjacent European regions. This holistic scaling strategy includes plans to triple their workforce, emphasizing the growth and demand the company anticipates. The integration of embedded finance solutions continues to transform how clean technologies are both sold and funded.
The Bees & Bears model symbolizes a shift towards embedding financial flexibility within the clean-energy transition. As the company scales, its impact will likely influence other climate fintech innovations and potentially set a precedent for similar startups. The success of this integration will depend on its ability to engage more communities and adapt to varying energy needs across regions.
